Since the first edition in 1985, Zoomark International has grown in the years to become now the most important professional pet industry event held in odd years in Europe; manufacturers, buyers and distributors coming from all parts of the world meet at Zoomark International every two years to profit from an outstanding business platform showcasing the top qualities of the pet supplies industry (those of a moving and dynamic sector), which brings innovations and tailor-made services to the market. 

In this context, the appointment with Zoomark International 2019 - set from Monday 6 May to Thursday 9 May at BolognaFiere - is shaping up to be very promising indeed, with new, larger halls and a new schedule.

The forthcoming event boasts two important new features:

New exhibiting space. To offer the highest level of service to the pet industry manufacturers and professionals from Italy and the rest of the world and respond to the growing number of applications from companies globally, Zoomark International 2019 will feature new halls and extended exhibiting space. The event will now cover a surface area of more than 53,000 square metres, occupying the brand new halls 28, 29 and 30, which were inaugurated in 2018, as well as 25 and 26 to offer greater capacity and a more streamlined visitor experience.             

The enlargement has been decided after the success of the 2017 edition which has marked a 17% increase of exhibitors, with a total of 735 who took part in the show, 479 of whom were foreign (from 42 countries), representing the leading edge in pet food, accessories, care and health. The event attracted more than 27,000 buyers and visitors (a 25% increase on the 2015 event) and a third of visitors came from 100 foreign countries. 

New show dates. To respond to the demand from exhibitors and visitors, Zoomark International 2019 will run from Monday 6 May to Thursday 9 May 2019 (no longer taking place at the weekend as was the case in the past), enabling Italian and international professionals to organise their visits on the day they prefer, and distributing visitor numbers over four days.                                            The biennial show is an established success on the industry's calendar: year after year the surface area and number of exhibitors and visitors has steadily increased, along with the number of foreign companies and buyers in attendance, proof of the event's great appeal as the pet industry's best and most important showcase.

Antonio Bruzzone, General Director of BolognaFiere, commented: "We are working to make next year's event even more engaging than the previous ones, and we are also continuing to focus on its international outlook. As always the focus of Zoomark International is business and information:  it offers a showcase for the pet industry, an opportunity to hear all the latest news, stay up to date with professional training, network with the major international players, promote products and create new business in Italy and around the world".

The next edition is expected to break new records, with the stated aim of helping exhibitors create and develop new business opportunities on the international market. 

With this goal, in 2016 Zoomark International started a comprehensive programme of activities abroad to promote the best of the Italian pet industry, organising Made in Italy Pavilions at the leading international trade shows: genuine national delegations that gathered the Italian companies interested in presenting their products to the global market.

In 2018 this activity has been enriched with the launch of Zoomark at ParkZoo, the area that hosts European and world exhibitors of ParkZoo, the annual fair that takes place in Moscow. The initiative joins the now consolidated participation in CIPS, the leading event of the year in the East.

The pet industry continues to grow, as shown by the 2018 Assalco – Zoomark Report (the annual review of pet industry published by the Italian National Association for Pet Food and Pet Care Companies ASSALCO and Zoomark International), which offers a snapshot of market trends and social and institutional developments, documenting the increasingly important role of pets in Italy.

What emerges from the Report is that Italy is one of the most "pet friendly" countries, both in terms of numbers and the care devoted to the animals: it is estimated that  pets in Italy are around 60 millions and that proper nutrition is a fundamental aspect to which pet owners pay particular attention.

In 2017, the Italian market for dog and cat food recorded a turnover of 2,051 million euros, with total sales of 573,940 tons. This confirmed the positive trend: a 3.8% increase in turnover compared to the previous year, with sales up by 2.4%, a growth rate higher than that of packaged consumer products (which rose by 2.3% in 2017). In the 2014-2017 period, the market showed a compound annual growth rate of 3.6% in value and 1.6% in volume.

It is therefore clear that Zoomark International 2019 will represent an irreplaceable opportunity for the pet supplies industry and distribution to grow, exchange information, compare, learn and develop new concepts and trends.

For this reason, a particular attention will be dedicated to the “New Products Showcase”  where new trends and products will be presented; a sort of compass inside the show that will offer a detailed and in-depth overview of food and non-food trends in the sector.

Useful information will be found on the website www.zoomark.it, which contains breaking news regarding the forthcoming event and shows the electronic profiles of all the exhibitor, to know in advance the protagonists who will give life to this formidable world showcase, to prepare the visit and set up appointments with individual companies. 

“We want to make it as easy as one two three - says Marco Momoli, Commercial Director of BolognaFiere -  for the buyers to prepare for the show and enjoy their trip and stay in Bologna by offering them also travel assistance as well as special packages including hotel accommodation combined with a program that includes, in addition to the visit of the event, also tours in Bologna. We know we organize the best international show of the year in this sector and we do it in a beautiful city, full of artistic attractions, excellent food, high quality entertainment opportunities ".

Indeed, the "Hotel & Travel" section of the show website gives you the opportunity to take advantage of the special discounts that Trenitalia and Italo offer to visitors and exhibitors of Zoomark International and to book hotel rooms and tourist packages at special prices.

For exhibitors, relying on Zoomark represents the security of an accurate organization and a way to broaden their visibility and business opportunities. "We grow and we become even more ‘international’ - states Momoli - we establish almost a one-to-one relationship with our exhibitors, to maintain a continuous bond with them in all the various stages of the event. Through the newsletters (which update about all new products, remind deadlines and offer ideas for getting the best from the participation to the event) and the social media, we offer suggestions not only to exhibitors but also to visitors who frequently visit our site. Pre-registering online will allow to buy the admission tickets at a reduced price avoiding queues at the entrance. Free invitation cards will also be available for exhibitors to invite customers and potential customers to visit the show and VIP cards will be sent to the best Italian and foreign buyers to offer them special services offered by the Vip Lounge.”

For information: info@zoomark.it, www.zoomark.it